Talk precedes family event on Saturday

Scientists Dana Reed and Cathy Maxwell will be at Kohola Brewery in Lahaina at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to share information and answer questions about the nearshore water quality in West Maui. Reed is a retired electrical engineer and Maxwell is a biophysicist. Both work for the award-winning conservation coalition Hui O Ka Wai Ola.

Hui O Ka Wai Ola, loosely translated as the “living waters group,” is a citizen-scientist group that meets the quality standards of the state Department of Health to collect and analyze ocean water.

This event exploring water quality and community action leads up to the annual “Ridge to Reef Rendezvous” on Saturday that brings together over a dozen groups working on some aspect of stewardship from the top of the mountain to the ocean.

The rendezvous will feature ways to get involved, a keiki fishing tournament and the first-ever “Haunted Reef” on Maui, plus food, music and prizes. It will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Kahekili Beach Park (Old Airport Beach) in north Kaanapali. The fishing tournament will start at 8 a.m.

There will also be a free special screening of the award-winning film “Chasing Coral,” followed by a Q&A panel of reef researchers at 6 p.m. Friday at Whalers Village.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/WestMauiKumuwai or call 283-1631.